Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

At second level, 90% of students study science at junior certificate level, for which a new syllabus was introduced in 2003. Up to 60% of students study one of the three science subjects at leaving certificate level; 14.7% study physics and 13.5% study chemistry.

The uptake in these subjects has been a concern for some time. Numbers taking these subjects dramatically declined during the 1980s but there is evidence of a turnaround. A critical concern is to increase the numbers studying these subjects at senior level. The objective is to increase the percentage taking chemistry and physics at leaving certificate to 20% of the overall student cohort. As part of this approach, concerted efforts will be made to encourage a better gender balance in the taking up of physics.

The Discover Science and Engineering Programme, chaired by Leo Enright, has recently launched its annual roadshow. The number of students at primary and second level attending this has increased significantly. With the changes in the syllabus and the system and with the promotion of the Discover Science and Engineering Programme, the numbers will be brought back up. There is evidence that this is happening.

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